The
first phase of the Damned. 6 weeks of rehearsals and they were playing
their first gig at the 100 Club supporting The Sex Pistols. 3 Months
later they were recording the first ever UK punk single New
Rose for
Stiff records. While none of the singles below charted. The album Damned,
Damned, Damned
released in April 77 reached No34. Remember Stiff were an independent
label and their lack of distribution for The Damned records probably
hampered their success.
| Dave
Vanian - Vocals |
Bryan
James - Guitar |
| Captain
Sensible - Bass |
Rat
Scabies - Drums |
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New
Rose / Help
Stiff November 1976
Its an absolute
monster of a song. Everything on it screams overdrive. Big pounding
drums, monster riff all with an infectious joyous rush of speed that
makes you want to move. Glen Matlock made the point that the "Pistols
first single was Anarchy and The Damned's was about a bird."
Fair point but its fitting that the first punk song should go something
as uptempo as this. 24 carat punk classic. Great 100mph version of The
Beatles Help
on the other side. |
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Neat,
Neat, Neat / Stab Your Back
Stiff February 1977.
Raw and abrasive.
The song is introduced by the Captains distorted bass played through a
home made bass cabinet with broken speaker. A manic Eddie Cochran riff
with another titanic piece of guitar from Bryan James. Traces of
rockabilly, Stooges, The New York Dolls and punk all collide
perfectly. What's the song about ? Fuck knows. Another classic. Stab
your Back is
great too. |
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Damned,
Damned, Damned.
Stiff February 1977.
The entire set of
songs was produced in one day for the album. Sensible claims to have no
memory of it only masses of cider and speed. Comparing it to the
polish and meticulous layers of sound of Bollocks the album is raw
and immediate. As well as featuring the two singles above other
highlights were Fan Club, Fish, See Her Tonight & their cover of
Iggy's 1970. |
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| Mention
should also be made of the John Peel Radio Show. Broadcast on Radio 1 at
10pm till 12.00AM it was the one place where you could hear punk on the
radio. Peelie also gave sessions to established and upcoming bands. I
think The Damned were particular favourites and their sessions were
always a bit special especially round The Machine Gun Etiquette era
where they tended to loosen up in the studio and let rip and muck
around. Two sessions for this line up.
10.12.76
Stab Your Back, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose, So Messed Up & I Fall.
16.5.77
Sick Of Being Sick, Stretcher Case, Fan Club & Feel The Pain. |
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